PCV The Road - Theory Test UK

Welcome to your The Road PCV

35. What's a buffer lane?

A safety lane for vehicles blown off course

A lane for overtaking safely

A lane to park in until the wind drops

The only lane to be used in high winds

2. Why is it dangerous to follow a heavy goods vehicle too closely?

Your field of vision will be seriously reduced

Your cab will fill with fumes

Your engine will overheat

Your brakes will overheat

74. You're driving in wet conditions. What should you try to do before braking?

Make sure that the gear lever is in neutral

Make sure that all spray-suppression equipment is working

Make sure that there's no mist on your rear-view mirrors

Make sure that your vehicle is travelling in a straight line

36. This vehicle is fitted with spray-suppression equipment. In what weather conditions will it be most useful?

Rain

Snow

Wind

Fog

21. Which lane should you use when you're driving on a clear motorway, at the speed limit for your vehicle?

Any lane

The middle lane

The right-hand lane

The left-hand lane

8. What's the greatest risk to your safety when you're overtaking on a motorway in very wet weather?

Your engine may get flooded

Your braking distance may be reduced

Your steering may become heavy

Your tyres may lose grip

102. What's the best way to control your vehicle when driving on snow?

Keep the engine revs high and spin the wheels

Drive in your vehicle's lowest gear

Keep the engine revs high and slip the clutch

Drive slowly, in a higher gear than normal

30. You're driving in heavy rain. Why do you need to increase your distance from the vehicle in front?

To prevent rain from entering the vehicle's braking system

To let other motorists move into the gap

To allow for an increased stopping distance

To reduce the risk of water spraying into the filters

111. You're driving in fog. When should high-intensity rear fog lights be used?

When visibility falls below 100 metres (328 feet)

When visibility falls below 200 metres (656 feet)

When visibility falls below 300 metres (984 feet)

When visibility falls below 400 metres (1312 feet)

10.

53. You're driving at 50 mph (80 km/h) on a dry, level road. What gap should you leave between your vehicle and the one in front?

One vehicle length

Two vehicle lengths

At least a one-second gap

At least a two-second gap

11.

73. What does it indicate if you see white lights on a vehicle at night?

It's moving away from you

It's stationary and facing away from you

It's ahead of you and braking

It's facing towards you

12.

22. What should you do when you park your vehicle on a two-way road at night?

Use the parking lights

Switch off all lights

Put a traffic cone behind your vehicle

Park underneath a street lamp

13.

70. What should you do before you start to overtake a lorry?

Look well ahead for uphill gradients

Check your position in the left-hand mirror

Change quickly to a higher gear

Close right up before pulling out

14.

34. Which vehicle is least likely to be affected by high wind?

15.

49. You're driving a bus. Where should you be aware of the risk of grounding?

On a hump bridge

In a crawler lane

On a left-hand bend

In a narrow street

16.

69. You're on a motorway and the surface is still wet after rain. Why should you take care when you're overtaking?

Wet roads may cause more buffeting

Other vehicles will have their lights on

Vehicles may be parked on the hard shoulder

The road may still be slippery

17.

16. You're driving a fully laden vehicle approaching an uphill gradient. What will happen if you start to overtake?

You'll be able to get past more quickly

The weight of the load will help you go faster

You'll take longer to get past

You'll need to use a high gear

18.

82. Why should you take extra care when overtaking at night?

Every driver will normally be tired

Large vehicles are subject to a 10% speed reduction

Speed and distance are harder to judge

Most towns aren't adequately lit

19.

13. You'll be driving a high-floor coach. You'll be going over several high bridges. Why should you check the weather forecast before starting your journey?

Rain can make crossing bridges very difficult for buses and coaches

In hot weather, the bridges might be closed to heavy traffic

You won't be able to climb the bridges if it's frosty

Some roads may be closed to certain vehicles in high winds

20.

92. You're driving in town and see these lights flashing. What would you expect to see ahead?

Contraflow system

Uneven road surface

Children crossing the road

Roadworks ahead

21.

86. It's very windy and you're overtaking a motorcyclist on a motorway. What should you be aware of that may cause them problems?

Your exhaust smoke

Your engine noise

The buffeting effect

The tyre noise

22.

79. You've just overtaken another large vehicle. How do you know when it's safe to move back to the nearside lane?

By waiting for the driver you've overtaken to flash their headlights

By checking your nearside mirror

By using your hazard warning lights as a signal

By moving to the nearside, hoping the other vehicle will slow down

23.

38. The road is wet. Why should you slow down as you approach this pedestrian?

Because there are no road markings

To avoid splashing them

Because they have priority

To encourage them to cross

24.

114. What should you do as you approach these roadworks?

Check your mirrors

Select a higher gear

Flash your headlights

Use your endurance brake

25.

83. You're driving a long vehicle and want to turn right at a roundabout ahead. How should you signal if you need to occupy the left-hand lane?

Signal left on approach

Signal right on approach

Give no signal on approach

Give a right signal after entering the roundabout

26.

52. You're driving behind two cyclists. They're approaching a roundabout in the left-hand lane. What should you expect them to do?

Go in any direction

Turn left

Turn right

27.

51. When may you use your vehicle's hazard warning lights while it's moving?

When you've just overtaken another vehicle

When you need to reverse for some distance

When you're on a motorway and traffic ahead slows suddenly

When one of your lights has failed

28.

112. When may vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM) use the right-hand lane of a motorway to overtake?

When the motorway has three lanes

When vehicles are stopped on the hard shoulder

When the motorway has two lanes

When other vehicles are turning right

29.

29. Where are these lights found?

On approach to a level crossing

Near a fire station

On approach to a motorway

Near a school

30.

19. What should you do when you drive in windy weather?

Maintain a constant speed in exposed areas

Anticipate how the weather may affect other road users

Always keep to your intended route

Stay close to smaller or vulnerable vehicles as you overtake them

31.

40. What component fitted to your vehicle will help following drivers in wet weather?

Spray reducers

Side-panel skirts

Wind deflectors

Catalytic converter

32.

1. What do you need to be aware of when you drive over an exposed suspension bridge?

The swaying of the bridge

The width of the lanes

The effect of strong side wind

The overhanging bridge cables

33.

56. Why do some buses have marker lights along their sides?

To make them easier to overtake

To help the driver when reversing

To help any passengers getting on or off

To make them easier to see at junctions

34.

44. Why are brushes fitted to this vehicle's wheel arch?

To clear mud from the tyres on building sites

To remove objects from the tyre tread

To stop snow building up behind the wheel

To reduce spray on wet roads

35.

3. Which vehicles are most likely to be affected by high winds?

Slow-moving vehicles

Track-laying vehicles

Front-wheel-drive vehicles

Curtain-sided vehicles

36.

90. You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?

Use the emergency telephone

Give an arm signal as you are moving off

Switch on your vehicle's headlights

Move away with your hazard lights on

37.

77. What should you do before overtaking on a single carriageway road?

Flash your headlights at oncoming traffic

Look ahead for road junctions

Drive very close to the vehicle in front

Make a final check in your left-hand mirror

38.

99. It's raining. Why would a motorcyclist steer around drain covers on a bend?

To reduce the risk of skidding

To avoid puncturing the tyres

To improve their view around the bend

To avoid splashing pedestrians

39.

45. How much longer can your stopping distance be in snow than in dry weather?

Twice as long

Four times as long

Five times as long

Ten times as long

40.

31. What problem may you have when driving at night?

It's more difficult to keep to speed limits

There'll be an increase in traffic

You'll have reduced visibility

It takes longer to stop

41.

101. You're driving on a motorway in heavy rain. When are you allowed to use high-intensity rear fog lights?

When visibility is more than 100 metres (328 feet)

Only when the national speed limit applies

Only when you're being followed closely by other traffic

When visibility is reduced to 100 metres (328 feet) or less

42.

105. You're driving in fog that's starting to clear. When should you switch off your high-intensity rear fog lights?

When visibility is more than 10 metres (32 feet)

When visibility is more than 50 metres (164 feet)

When visibility is more than 75 metres (246 feet)

When visibility is more than 100 metres (328 feet)

43.

25. You're on a motorway, approaching a working snow plough. Why should you stay behind it?

It's illegal to overtake snow ploughs

Snow ploughs are left-hand-drive only

Your speed could cause snow to drift behind

There may be deep snow ahead

44.

61. Why is tailgating dangerous?

You're likely to be distracted

Your engine will overheat

Your view to the rear is reduced

Your view ahead is reduced

45.

42. You're in the centre lane of a motorway, overtaking another vehicle. What should you do before returning to the left-hand lane?

Signal left, then check your mirror

Wait for the other driver to flash their headlights

Check ahead and then your nearside mirror

Check behind for fast traffic in the right-hand lane

46.

68. Why can visibility be worse when driving at high speed in wet weather?

Drivers bunch together when it's raining

Headlights will dazzle you more easily

Windscreen wipers obstruct your view

More spray will be thrown up

47.

41. You're driving on a motorway after it's been raining heavily. What should you do if spray is being thrown up, causing poor visibility?

Keep a two-second gap

Reduce your separation distance

Remove spray-suppression equipment

Use dipped headlights

48.

103. You're driving in the left-hand lane of a motorway. What should you do when you see a large vehicle merging from a slip road ahead?

Try to race and get ahead of it

Leave the other vehicle to adjust its speed

Stay at the maximum speed allowed for your vehicle

Be ready to adjust your speed

49.

62. When should you check your vehicle's spray-suppression equipment?

Only when you'll be using a motorway

Before setting out on every journey

Only as part of a pre-winter check

Once per year before the MOT test

50.

50. You're in the left-hand lane on a three-lane motorway. Why should you check for any vehicles in the right-hand lane before you overtake?

They may be moving faster than you

They may move back to the middle lane as you move out

They may cut in sharply behind you

They may accelerate briskly in front of you

51.

107. Why should you be especially aware of parked cars when you're driving at night?

There are more of them

They're more likely to move off

The drivers may be drunk

They can park without lights

52.

59. You're driving in wet weather. What effect will faulty spray-suppression equipment have on other drivers?

Their vision will be increased

Their vision will be reduced

They'll be able to overtake more easily

They'll need to use intermittent wipers

53.

87. When should you use the two-second rule?

To keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front when it's raining

To keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front when conditions are good

To keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front when it's icy

To keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front in queuing traffic

54.

20. You're driving along a motorway and see this sign. What does it mean?

There's a steep downhill section ahead

Only lorries and buses are allowed to use that lane

Vehicles fitted with speed limiters must use that lane

There's a long uphill gradient ahead

55.

27. You're driving through the night. What could it mean if your steering feels lighter than normal?

Your tyres are losing pressure

There's a leak in the power-steering pump

There's ice or frost on the road

There isn't enough tread on your tyres

56.

116. You're following a large vehicle. How can you improve your view ahead?

Drop further back

Move over to the right

Move over to the left

Overtake as soon as you can

57.

117. What does this motorway sign mean?

You're approaching a long downhill slope

You're approaching a long uphill slope

You're approaching a 'lorries only' lane

You're approaching a service area

58.

98. When do drivers of long vehicles need to straddle lanes?

When they need to avoid braking sharply

When driving on motorways

When they need to avoid mounting the kerb

When coming to contraflow systems

59.

18. You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?

Use the emergency telephone

Give an arm signal as you are moving off

Switch on your vehicle's headlights

Move away with your hazard lights on

60.

14. How should you use the brakes in icy weather?

Suddenly

By pumping the brake pedal

Gently

After using the gears first

61.

43. You're driving on a dual carriageway and intend to overtake the vehicle ahead. What should you do if there's a car approaching quickly behind you in the right-hand lane?

Stay behind the slower vehicle

Signal right and move out

Move up closer to the slower vehicle

Signal left while waiting for the car to pass

62.

24. What do you need to be careful of when you're driving in high winds?

Fallen trees

Poor visibility

A risk of grounding

Steep gradients

63.

48. When would weight transference be most likely to occur?

When you're reversing

When you're loading

When you're overtaking

When you're cornering

64.

7. You're on a motorway and there's a strong side wind. Which vehicle is particularly at risk?

A motorcycle

A taxi

A sports car

A road tanker

65.

94. How should you rejoin the motorway after a breakdown on the hard shoulder?

Build up speed on the hard shoulder before looking for a safe gap in the traffic

Move straight out into the left-hand lane as you are not allowed to drive on the hard shoulder

Wait until a vehicle in the left-hand lane signals to you that it's safe to rejoin

Keep your hazard lights flashing until you have safely rejoined the carriageway

66.

81. Which road users are most likely to be affected by the turbulence created by large vehicles travelling at speed?

Drivers of low-loaders

Drivers towing caravans

Drivers of tankers

Drivers of emergency vehicles

67.

54. What must you be certain of before you overtake at night?

You can see well ahead

The road's well lit

There's an overtaking lane

You're outside a built-up area

68.

109. You've just overtaken another vehicle on a motorway. What should you avoid when moving back to the left?

Cutting in

Increasing your speed

Changing gear

Signalling

69.

28. You're driving along a motorway in thick fog at night. The reflective studs are red on your left and white on your right. Which lane are you in?

The right-hand lane

The hard shoulder

The left-hand lane

The middle lane

70.

23. What should you do when you're overtaking a motorcyclist in very windy conditions?

Allow extra room

Overtake slowly

Sound your horn as you pass

Keep close as you pass

71.

11. When do long vehicles sometimes need to straddle lanes?

When turning at tight junctions

When travelling empty

When driving on motorways

When coming to contraflow systems

72.

64. You're driving at night. Why should you ensure that all your lights are clean and working correctly?

To allow following drivers to use dipped headlights

To prevent the battery from overcharging

So that other road users can see the size of your vehicle

So that the intensity of street lighting can be reduced

73.

46. In which type of weather is spray-suppression equipment particularly useful?

Rain

Ice

Fog

Wind

74.

110. When shouldn't you overtake?

When the speed limit has been reduced

When you're approaching motorway slip roads

When you would have to break the speed limit

When your view of the road ahead is clear

75.

58. It's raining heavily. What effect could this have when you overtake a cyclist?

Spray could affect their control

Exhaust fumes are more toxic when it's raining

Noise from your engine will be louder

Buffeting will be reduced

76.

76. You're overtaking a motorcycle in windy conditions. Why should you check your nearside mirror?

To check your road position

To see if the rider is in control of their motorcycle

To see if other vehicles have been affected

To check that it's properly adjusted

77.

17. What should you do after overtaking on a dual carriageway?

Move back to the left when it's safe to do so

Indicate left, then right

Wait for the other driver to flash their headlights

Switch your rear lights on and off

78.

9. You're driving a high-sided vehicle in very windy conditions. Where should you avoid travelling?

Across suspension bridges

Up steep hills

Along country lanes

Through road tunnels

79.

119. What time gap should you leave when you're following a vehicle on a wet road?

At least one second

At least two seconds

At least three seconds

At least four seconds

80.

32. You're driving a high-sided vehicle on a motorway. Where should you be especially aware of the effects of side wind?

In cuttings

Through tunnels

Across viaducts

Passing large signs

81.

106. You're driving on a motorway in heavy rain. What could cause your steering to become unresponsive?

Water reducing the tyres' grip on the road

Tyres becoming hotter in the bad weather

Braking gently and in good time

Water entering the braking system

82.

63. You're driving a bus on a windy day. What should you do when you're overtaking a motorcyclist?

Pass close to shield them from the wind

Move back early to protect them from buffeting

Pass wide in case they're blown off course

Signal left so they know you're pulling in

83.

108. Why should you take care before moving into the centre lane of a three-lane motorway?

The centre lane is narrower than the left-hand lane

The bridge height clearance will be less in the centre lane

Traffic in the centre lane may be travelling much faster than you

The reflective studs may be missing in the centre lane

84.

4. What should you do if you intend to overtake a lorry that's throwing up spray?

Get much closer before moving out

Wait until the other driver gives a left signal

Move out earlier than normal

Wait for the lorry to slow down on a hill

85.

89. What's a crawler lane for?

To enable other traffic to overtake on the nearside

To enable large vehicles to park out of the way

To enable slow-moving traffic to move further over to the left on uphill gradients

To enable emergency vehicles to get quickly to the scene of an incident

86.

97. Where would you expect to find buffer lanes?

In built-up areas

On high-level bridges

On country roads

In roadworks

87.

85. How should you slow down or stop when you're driving on an icy road?

Brake gently and in good time

Always use the retarder

Change down through the gears

Use the parking brake in a rapid on-and-off movement

88.

33. You're driving a bus at night on a road without street lighting. Why could it be dangerous to overtake?

There may be unseen dips or bends in the road

You may dazzle other drivers

It's harder to concentrate

It's harder to keep control in the dark

89.

10. What should you do if an overtaking vehicle pulls in too close in front of you?

Slow down

Stay close behind

Overtake when you can

Flash your headlights

90.

96. What should you do before changing lanes to overtake on a motorway?

Check your mirrors carefully

Change to a lower gear

Look over your left shoulder

Increase your speed gently

91.

37. What should you do if you see a vehicle too close behind when you're driving in traffic on the motorway?

Increase your distance from the vehicle in front

Touch the brake pedal sharply to show your brake lights

Briskly accelerate away from the vehicle behind

Switch your rear fog lamps on and off

92.

6. How is a strong wind likely to affect your bus?

Steering will be easier

Your stopping distances will be reduced

Your stopping distances will be greater

Steering will be more difficult

93.

5. You're driving in heavy rain. What should you do if your steering suddenly feels very light?

Brake very sharply

Steer towards the centre line

Ease off the accelerator

Increase your speed

94.

26. What's the minimum distance you should allow for braking when it's raining heavily?

The normal distance

Twice the normal distance

Three times the normal distance

Five times the normal distance

95.

12. What should you do as you approach a zebra crossing?

Stop before the zigzag lines

Wave pedestrians across the road

Sound the horn and flash headlights

Be prepared to stop in good time

96.

15. You're waiting at a T-junction. What should you do if you see a vehicle is coming from the right, with its left indicator flashing?

Move out and accelerate hard

Wait until the vehicle starts to turn in

Pull out before the vehicle reaches the junction

Move out slowly

97.

100. You're driving downhill. How will this affect your vehicle?

It will need more engine power

It will take longer to stop

It will increase fuel consumption

It will be easier to change direction

98.

115. You're driving at a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) in good, dry conditions. What distance should you stay behind the vehicle in front?

At least 23 metres (75 feet)

At least 36 metres (118 feet)

At least 53 metres (175 feet)

At least 73 metres (240 feet)

99.

57. How will gravity affect a laden vehicle going downhill?

The vehicle will use more fuel

Stopping distances will be decreased

More braking effort will be required

The load will be more stable

100.

47. Where would you anticipate problems when you're driving a high-sided vehicle on a windy day?

In road tunnels

On high-level roads

In dead ground

On ring roads

101.

55. You're driving at the speed limit in the left-hand lane of a motorway. What should you do if you see lorries merging from a slip road ahead?

Try to accelerate past them

Move to the next lane if it's safe

Brake heavily and let them merge

Expect them to stop and let you pass

102.

91. What will affect a double-deck bus more than a single-deck bus?

Strong wind

Heavy rain

Thick fog

Dense spray

103.

84. How should you drive through flood water?

Slowly, in a low gear, with engine speed high

Slowly, in a high gear, with engine speed low

As quickly as possible to cause the least delay

At normal speed when you have spray reducers fitted

104.

118. You're driving on a motorway. What should you do if your view ahead is restricted by heavy spray?

Move into the lane on the right

Use the two-second rule

Switch on your dipped headlights

Leave the motorway at the next exit

105.

80. You're driving a large vehicle in gusty conditions. Which vehicle is most likely to be affected by buffeting when you overtake it?

A motorcycle

A flat-bed lorry

A car

A loaded tanker

106.

88. When should you use a crawler lane?

When letting faster traffic overtake you

When turning right from a major road

When parking to have a rest

When slowing down for a motorway exit

107.

95. You're driving a large vehicle in heavy rain on a motorway. You slow down to reduce the risk of aquaplaning. For what other reason should you slow down?

To force other drivers to act properly and slow down

To reduce the amount of spray thrown up

To prevent water from entering the braking system

To stop the electrics getting wet

108.

72. What should you be aware of when you're overtaking on a motorway while it's raining heavily?

Manhole covers will be slippery

Visibility will be reduced by spray from traffic

Your braking distances will be reduced

There'll be distracting bright reflections

109.

39. What must bus and coach drivers do when they park their vehicle on the road at night?

They must park under street lights

They must park within 25 metres (82 feet) of a street light

They must leave all the interior lights switched on

They must leave their parking lights switched on

110.

60. You're driving a high-sided vehicle on a motorway. You should anticipate the effects of side wind. When is this most likely to happen?

When passing signs

On exposed sections

In contraflow systems

In service areas

111.

71. You're about to pass this car. What's the main hazard you should be aware of?

Sunlight reflecting off the car windscreen

The driver's door may suddenly open

Its alarm may be activated

The narrow pavement on the right

112.

66. You're driving in the left-hand lane on a three-lane motorway. What should you check for before moving into the middle lane to overtake a slower vehicle?

Traffic behind in the right-hand lane, returning to the middle lane

Traffic that's intending to leave at the next exit

Traffic ahead moving into the right-hand lane

Traffic behind that's trying to pass on your left

113.

104. When is a buffer lane most likely to be in use?

When it's windy

When it's raining

When it's foggy

When it's icy

114.

113. The entrances to roundabouts are often slippery when they're wet. How should you deal with this hazard?

Stay in the left-hand lane

Brake in good time

Use the handbrake

Stop before emerging

115.

65. You're driving a long bus. When would you need to straddle lanes?

Only when joining a bus lane

On all bends and corners

On the approach to all roundabouts

To avoid mounting the kerb

116.

78. High-sided vehicles can be affected by side wind. On which type of road is this most likely?

Narrow country lanes

Open roads

Slip roads

Motorway underpasses

117.

93. What might happen if using the brakes continuously causes them to overheat?

The brakes will work better

The brakes will be less effective

The brake pedal will become stiff

The air pressure will increase

118.

75. In fast traffic, when should you leave a two-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front?

When the roads are dry

When it's raining and the roads are wet

When the roads are icy

When you're driving in fog

119.

67. Why should you be aware of motorcyclists on a motorway when there are gusty winds?

They may be blown into your path

They may leave at the next exit

They may suddenly stop on the hard shoulder

They may position to turn right

Time's up

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